Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021
143. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a property (details supplied) that is not included in the intervention area of the National Broadband Plan will be included in the roll-out of fibre broadband in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23698/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie. BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The activities of commercial operators delivering high speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard. Complaints about service provision are a matter to be dealt with between the consumer and the service provider in the first instance. If this avenue has been exhausted without a satisfactory resolution, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) may be able to assist further. ComReg is the independent body that issues licences to broadband service providers and investigates complaints to make sure that companies are delivering services in line with their licence obligations.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has raised a query with the service provider concerned regarding the premises referred to in the Question. The service provider has confirmed that it will not be in a position to pass the premises as the available infrastructure does not allow it to connect the premises. My Department will investigate if other service operators have plans to deliver high speed broadband to the area and will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
